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My blog has been changed to make it more appealing for those who have New England ancestors and want to see the area through photos. Things I’ll include are typical white New England churches, libraries showing their genealogical collection, historical societies, cemeteries, war memorials, in general, anything to do with history.

For four years I’ve blogged mostly about my personal genealogy in New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire), New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. I still will, can’t forget my own roots.

Please check out the labels on the right side for articles. The header tabs at the top are a work in progress.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

1976 Bicentennial -- July 4th

The nation was counting down to the Bicentennial for many years and Washington, DC intended to make that July 4, 1976 a memorable day for all. As a matter of fact, events were planned for four days. Some of the special events I went to were the American Folklife festival, the NARA and saw the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution, enjoyed a huge "American Bicentennial Grand Parade" and of course saw the fabulous fireworks.

Since I was living in Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, I had no intention of missing anything. But, there was a problem. Too many people, and the Metro hadn't opened yet in my area. Fortunately, my first cousin, lived two blocks away from the Capitol, invited me to spend two nights with her. How wonderful for me and we spent the entire time together sharing all the great and free activities together. We saw the long parade, went to a concert or two and had a superb location to watch the fireworks, from the Capitol, I think we had passes, because she worked for a Texas politician, and I don't remember fighting for a spot. And when it was all over on the 4th, we were back at her place within minutes.

My photos aren't the best, actually among my worst, but I thought I would share them. Happy 4th to everybody.

6 comments:

Barbara - I was in Washington exactly one week later! Where did I choose to spend July 4, 1976? In Las Vegas - seeing Wayne Newton! I'm still not quite sure why I thought that was a good choice for the Bicentennial!

Barbara - I was also in town that summer; had just graduated from Georgetown but was staying to attend a fifth year to get a master's. Several of my friends and I drove somewhere - can't remember where it was - to watch the fireworks on the Mall from the Virginia side.

Thank you all for your comments. Susan, Las Vegas is a great place, and Greta it is nice knowing you were there watching the same fireworks as me, neat. Carol, I was very excited about it all and am still thrilled to think I was there.

Great pictures. That was a great day. I remember it fondly. My family was into boating and water skiing. Every long weekend, we were at the lake. Looking back, the politics, economy, prospects were about the same. Remembering gas-lines, A "swine flu" epidemic threatens the United States, President Ford warns March 24, and he orders a nationwide inoculation program lest there be a repeat of the influenza epidemic that killed half a million Americans in 1918, Dow Jones Industrial Average peaks at 1014.79 September 21, short of the 1051.70 high reached January 11, 1973, but a high that will not be seen again for 6 years. Weird???

Thank you Ruth. It is amazing how quickly 35 years passes by. I just remember the gas lines, you appear to have a better memory than me, but then, I was in the Army, on base, and pretty much sheltered from the outside world....I wonder why.

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I've been a retired, quiet, genealogy fanatic for 23 years. It's a hobby I do for fun and to help others.
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